English National Anthem Bill

CONTENTS

1 Duty to determine an English national anthem 2Duty to consult 3 Duty to promote the English national anthem 4Savings 5 Short title, commencement and extent

Bill 118 56/1 English National Anthem Bill 1

A BILL

Provide for an English National Anthem for use at sporting events that involve individuals or teams representing England; and for connected purposes.

E IT ENACTED by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present BParliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1 Duty to determine an English national anthem (1) Within 9 months of this Act coming into force, the Secretary of State must lay before each House of Parliament a statement containing a determination of an English national anthem for use at sports events and ceremonies involving teams or individuals representing England. 5 (2) The statement under subsection (1) must include— (a) the Secretary of State’s determination of an English national anthem; and (b) the words and music of the English national anthem. (3) The statement under subsection (1) must be accompanied by a report of the 10 consultation process or processes conducted under section 2. (4) The determination contained in the statement under subsection (1) will only have effect if approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

2 Duty to consult (1) Before making any determination under section 1, the Secretary of State— 15 (a) must conduct a public consultation on the options for an English national anthem, and (b) may conduct such other consultative processes, including one or more competitions, as he sees fit. (2) Those consulted under subsection (1) may include any person or organisation 20 that the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

Bill 118 56/1 2 English National Anthem Bill

(3) The Secretary of State must provide for a public consultation period of not less than 6 months.

3 Duty to promote the English national anthem (1) The Secretary of State has a duty to promote the English national anthem determined under section 1. 5 (2) After the determination has been made and approved under section 1, the Secretary of State must write to all sports governing bodies under section 2(2)(a) to inform them— (a) of the English national anthem, its words and music; and (b) that, when a national anthem is to be played indicating or celebrating a 10 team or individual representing England at a sporting event or competition, it shall be the anthem determined in accordance with section 1. (3) The Secretary of State may, by regulation, make such provisions as he sees fit in pursuit of the purposes of this section. 15

4 Savings Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted so as to affect the status of the national anthem of the United Kingdom which may continue to be performed in relation to sports teams or individuals representing— (a) the United Kingdom, and 20 (b) Great Britain.

5 Short title, commencement and extent (1) This Act may be cited as the English National Anthem Act 2016. (2) This Act comes into force the day after the day on which it receives Royal Assent. 25 (3) This Act extends to England and Wales only. English National Anthem Bill

A BILL

To provide for an English National Anthem for use at sporting events that involve individuals or teams representing England; and for connected purposes.

Ordered to be brought in by Toby Perkins, Tristram Hunt, Greg Mulholland, Daniel Kawczynski, Ruth Smeeth, Sarah Champion, Mr Jamie Reed, Andrew Rosindell, Angela Smith, Bob Stewart, Michael Fabricant and Sir Gerald Howarth.

Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, 13 January 2016.

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS LONDON — THE STATIONERY OFFICE LIMITED Printed in the United Kingdom by The Stationery Office Limited £x.xx

Bill 118 (xxxxxx)56/1

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